The Most Noble Order of the Garter | English knighthood | Britannica.com The Most Noble Order of the Garter English knighthood United Kingdom The Most Noble Order of the Garter, English order of knighthood founded by King Edward III in 1348, ranked as the highest British civil and military honour obtainable. Because the earliest records of the order were destroyed by fire, it is difficult for historians to be certain of its original purposes, the significance of its emblem, and the origin of the order’s motto. One theory is that Edward III wished to revive the Round Table of Arthurian legend . The order was established to commemorate an incident in which Edward was dancing when one of his partner’s blue garters dropped to the floor. As bystanders snickered, Edward gallantly picked up the garter and put it on his own leg, admonishing the courtiers in French with the phrase that remains the order’s motto, “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (“Shame to him who thinks evil of it,” popularly rendered as “Evil to him who evil thinks”).

The king inaugurated the Order of the Garter with a great feast and joust, but the identity of the lady thus granted immortality is uncertain. The most popular candidate is Joan, “Fair Maid of Kent,” the king’s cousin, but Katharine Grandison, Countess of Salisbury, has a strong claim, and one Tudor historian named the lady as the queen, Philippa of Hainault. Knight companions of The Most Noble Order of the Garter in procession to St. George’s Chapel for … Philip Allfrey As one of the most distinguished and exclusive orders of knighthood, (there is only one rank, that of Knight Companion), the order’s roll has contained many illustrious names. Nonetheless, members have fallen from honour and forfeited their rank. Thirty-six knights of the Garter have been beheaded, with Henry VIII alone accounting for six. During World War II , the crests and swords of the “extra knights” Emperor Hirohito of Japan and King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy were removed from the order’s chapel. The conferment of the honour has even been refused.

In 1945, when his party was voted out of office, Winston Churchill refused the honour when it was first offered to him, explaining in private, “I can hardly accept the Order of the Garter from the king after the people have given me the Order of the Boot.” Churchill relented, however, and was inducted into the order in 1953. Similar Topics Order of the Companions of Honour The original medieval membership consisted of the English king and the Prince of Wales , each with 12 companions, as if at a tournament. Little has changed, the order today consisting of the Queen, her consort the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, and 24 Knights Companion (excluding the Queen’s other sons and the Ladies of the Garter). Membership was expanded in the late 18th and early 19th centuries to include supernumeraries such as members of the royal family (known as Royal Knights Companion), certain other chosen lineal descendants of King George I , and foreigners (known as extra knights). The Sovereign and the Prince of Wales are always members of the order. Originally, existing knights elected new knights, but now appointment to the order is solely at the discretion of the British monarch.

Conferment of the order entails adoption into knighthood and the right to use the title “Sir.” Holders of the order add KG after their names. In order of precedence among knights, Knights of the Garter are ranked above Knights of the Thistle , these two orders being the oldest and most honoured in Britain . (Knights of the Garter and of the Thistle rank as Knights Grand Cross when compared with other orders and thus may be granted the use of supporters with their arms.) Order Of The Garter - British Royals Celebrate - Pictures - CBS News British Royals Celebrate Next Order Of The Garter Britain's Prince William is seen in the procession to attend the Order of The Garter Service in Windsor, England, Monday, June 15, 2009. The annual service is held in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Credit: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool Britain's Queen Elizabeth II processes to attend the Order of The Garter Service in Windsor, England, Monday, June 15, 2009. The annual service is held in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Credit: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool Britain's Prince Philip joins other members of the royal family in the procession of The Order of the Garter in Windsor, England, Monday, June 15, 2009. The Annual Order of the Garter Service, which takes place at Windsor Castle, is a ceremonial event involving Knights of the Garter, who are appointed personally by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. Credit: AP Photo/Leon Neal, pool Britain's Prince William, left, looks to his father, Prince Charles, right, as they take part in the Garter Ceremony Procession up to St George's Chapel, Monday, June 15, 2009, in Windsor, England. The Annual Order of the Garter Service, which takes place at Windsor Castle, is a ceremonial event involving Knights of the Garter who are appointed personally by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. Credit: AP Photo/Chris Jackson, pool Two officers salute as Britain's Queen Elizabeth arrives for the Order of the Garter service at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Monday, June 15, 2009.

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry and was founded by Edward III in 1348. The Order, consisting of the King and 25 knights, was intended to be reserved as the highest reward for loyalty and for military merit. Credit: AP Photo/Luke MacGregor, pool A view of the procession to attend the Order of The Garter Service in Windsor, England, Monday, June 15, 2009. The Order of the Garter is the most senior and the oldest British Order of Chivalry and was founded by Edward III in 1348. The Order, consisting of the King and 25 knights, was intended by Edward III to be reserved as the highest reward for loyalty and for military merit. Credit: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool Britain's Queen Elizabeth II processes to attend the Order of The Garter Service in Windsor, England, Monday, June 15, 2009. The annual ceremony is held in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Credit: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool A view of the procession to attend the Order of The Garter Service in Windsor, England, Monday, June 15, 2009. The annual service is held in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Credit: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool Trooping The Color Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, right, accompanied by her grandsons, Prince William, left, and Prince Harry, center, stand on the main balcony of Buckingham Palace while attending the annual Trooping the Color in central London on Saturday, June 13, 2009. The Queen celebrated her official birthday Saturday with the Trooping the Color parade involving more than 1,000 soldiers in the traditional display of pomp and pageantry. Credit: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, left, accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, right, waves to the gathering crowds, from the main balcony of Buckingham Palace as they attend the annual Trooping the Color, Saturday, June 13, 2009, in London. The Queen celebrated her official birthday Saturday with the Trooping the Color parade.

Credit: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis British Royal Air Force Red Arrows jets fly over Buckingham Palace, in central London, Saturday, June 13, 2009. The Queen celebrated her official birthday Saturday with the Trooping the Color parade involving more than 1,000 soldiers in the traditional display of pomp and pageantry. Credit: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis Britain's Queen Elizabeth II attends the annual Trooping the Color parade in central London on Saturday, June 13, 2009. The Queen celebrated her official birthday with the annual parade. Credit: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis British troops line the route along The Mall in London as they wait for Queen Elizabeth II, in an open carriage, during the Trooping the Color ceremony, Saturday June 13, 2009. Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by members of the royal family, celebrated her official birthday Saturday with the annual parade involving more than 1,000 soldiers in the traditional display of pomp and pageantry.

Credit: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, center left, and her husband Prince Philip, right, ride in an open carriage to attend the Trooping the Color parade in central London, Saturday, June 13, 2009. The Queen celebrated her official birthday Saturday with the annual parade involving more than 1,000 soldiers in the traditional display of pomp and pageantry. Credit: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis Britain's Queen Elizabeth II smiles at Prince Philip during the annual Trooping the Color parade in London, Saturday, June 13, 2009. The Queen celebrated her official birthday Saturday with the annual parade. Credit: AP Photo/Lewis Whyld/PA Wire Britain's Prince Harry, right, rides in an open carriage, to attend the annual Trooping the Color parade in central London on Saturday, June 13, 2009. Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by members of the royal family, celebrated her official birthday Saturday with the annual parade involving more than 1,000 soldiers in the traditional display of pomp and pageantry.

Credit: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, left, accompanied by Prince William, right, rides in an open carriage to attend the annual Trooping the Color in central London, Saturday, June 13, 2009. Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by members of the royal family, celebrated her official birthday Saturday with the annual Trooping the Color parade. Credit: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, left, accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, right, ride in an open carriage, to attend the annual Trooping the Color, in central London, Saturday, June 13, 2009. The Queen celebrated her official birthday Saturday with the annual parade involving more than 1,000 soldiers in the traditional display of pomp and pageantry.

Credit: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis Order of the Garter | Military Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Order of the Garter Most Noble Order of the Garter Arms of the Order of the Garter Awarded by Monarch of England and successor states Type Honi soit qui mal y pense Awarded for Eldest sons of Barons [1] Next (lower) Riband of the Order of the Garter Representation of the garter on a Knight's mantle Henry of Grosmont, Earl of Lancaster (d.1361) (later Duke of Lancaster), the second recipient of the Order, shown wearing his garter robes in an illustration from the 1430 Bruges Garter Book made by William Bruges (1375–1450), first Garter King of Arms The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry and the most prestigious honour in England and of the United Kingdom, and is dedicated to the image and arms of St. George as England's patron saint. It is awarded at the Sovereign's pleasure as her personal gift, on recipients from the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms .

Membership of the order is limited to the Sovereign , the Prince of Wales, and no more than twenty-four members, or Companions. The order also includes supernumerary knights and ladies (e.g., members of the British Royal Family and foreign monarchs). The order's emblem, depicted on insignia, is a garter with the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense ( Middle French : "shame upon him who thinks evil upon it") in gold lettering. Members of the order wear such a garter on ceremonial occasions. New appointments to the Order of the Garter are always announced on St George's Day , 23 April, as Saint George is the patron saint of England. [2] Contents Edit King Edward III founded the Order of the Garter around the time of his claim to the French throne .

[3] The foundation year is usually presumed to be 1348, however, the Complete Peerage, under "The Founders of the Order of the Garter", states the order was first instituted on 23 April 1344, listing each founding member as knighted in 1344, including Sir Sanchet D'Abrichecourt who died on 20 October 1345. [4] Other dates from 1344 to 1351 have also been proposed. The King's wardrobe account shows Garter habits first issued in the autumn of 1348; its original statutes required that each member already be a knight (what would now be referred to as a knight bachelor ) and some of the initial members were only knighted that year. [5] The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in the United Kingdom. List of Founder Knights They are all depicted in individual portraits in the Bruges Garter Book made in about 1431. Legendary origins Edit Statutes of the Order of the Garter Various legends account for the origin of the Order.

The most popular legend involves the "Countess of Salisbury" (either Edward's future daughter-in-law Joan of Kent or her former mother-in-law, Catherine Montacute, Countess of Salisbury ). While she was dancing at a court ball at Calais, her garter is said to have slipped from her leg. When the surrounding courtiers sniggered, the king picked it up and returned it to her, exclaiming, "Honi soit qui mal y pense," ("Shamed be the person who thinks evil of it."), the phrase that has become the motto of the Order. [3] According to another legend, King Richard I was inspired in the 12th century by St George the Martyr while fighting in the Crusades to tie garters around the legs of his knights, who subsequently won the battle. King Edward supposedly recalled the event in the 14th century when he founded the Order. [5] Another explanation is that the motto refers to Edward's claim to the French throne, and the Order of the Garter was created to help pursue this claim. The use of the garter as an emblem may have derived from straps used to fasten armour.

[3] Medieval scholars have pointed to a connection between the Order of the Garter and the Middle English poem, " Sir Gawain and the Green Knight ". In "Gawain", a girdle, very similar in its erotic undertones to the garter, plays a prominent role. A rough version of the Order's motto also appears in the text. It translates from Old French as "Accursed be a cowardly and covetous heart." [7] While the author of that poem remains disputed, there seems to be a connection between two of the top candidates and the Order of the Garter. Scholar J.P. Oakden has suggested that it is someone related to John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster , and, more importantly, a member of the Order. Another competing theory is that the work was written for Enguerrand de Coucy , seventh Sire de Coucy .

Sire de Coucy was married to King Edward III's daughter, Isabella, and was given admittance to the Order of the Garter on their wedding day." [8] Ladies Companion of the Garter Edit Soon after the founding of the Order, women were appointed "Ladies of the Garter," but were not made companions. King Henry VII discontinued the practice in 1488; his mother, Margaret Beaufort , was the last Lady of the Garter before Queen Alexandra . Except for female sovereigns, the next Lady of the Garter named was Queen Alexandra , by her husband King Edward VII . King George V also made his consort, Queen Mary, a Lady of the Garter and King George VI subsequently did the same for his wife, Queen Elizabeth. Throughout the 20th century, women continued to be associated with the Order, but except for foreign female monarchs, they were not made companions. [9] In 1987, however, it became possible to install "Ladies Companion of the Garter" under a statute of Queen Elizabeth II . [10] Order Emperor Taishō in the robes of the Order of the Garter, as a consequence of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance .

Knights Companion in the procession to St George's Chapel for the Garter Service Members Edit Membership in the Order is strictly limited and includes the monarch, the Prince of Wales, not more than 24 companion members, and various supernumerary members. The monarch alone can grant membership. [11] He or she is known as the Sovereign of the Garter, and the Prince of Wales is known as a Knight Companion of the Garter. [12] Male members of the Order are titled "Knights Companion," and female members are called "Ladies Companion." Formerly, the Sovereign filled vacancies upon the nomination of the members. Each member would nominate nine candidates, of whom three had to have the rank of Earl or higher, three the rank of Baron or higher, and three the rank of Knight or higher. The Sovereign would choose as many nominees as were necessary to fill any vacancies in the Order. He or she was not obliged to choose those who received the most nominations. Candidates were last nominated in 1860, and appointments have since been made by the Sovereign acting alone, with no prior nominations. The statutes prescribing the former procedure were not amended, however, until 1953.

[13] :198 From the 18th century, the Sovereign made his or her choices on the advice of Government. However, King George VI believed that the Order of the Garter and the Order of the Thistle had become too linked with political patronage. In 1946, with the agreement of the Prime Minister Clement Attlee and the Leader of the Opposition Winston Churchill , membership to these two orders became a personal gift of the Sovereign once again. Thus, the Sovereign personally selects Knights and Ladies Companion of the Garter, and need not act on or solicit the advice of His or Her Government. [14] In addition, the Order includes supernumerary members, who do not count towards the limit of 24 companions. Several supernumerary members, known as "Royal Knights and Ladies of the Garter", belong to the royal family. These titles were introduced in 1786 by King George III so that his many sons would not count towards the limit on the number of companions. He created the statute of supernumerary members in 1805 so that any descendant of King George II could be installed as such a member.

In 1831, this statute was extended again to include all descendants of King George I. [5] With the installation of Emperor Alexander I of Russia in 1813, supernumerary membership was extended to foreign monarchs, who are known as "Stranger Knights and Ladies of the Garter". [15] Each such installation originally required the enactment of a statute; however, a 1954 statute authorises the regular admission of Stranger Knights or Ladies without further special enactments. [15] In lesser orders of chivalry, such foreign members would be regarded as having received honorary knighthoods . Traditionally, reigning European monarchs are admitted to the Order as Strangers. Constantine II of Greece , neither in his short reign nor since he was deposed in 1973, has succeeded his father Paul of Greece as a member of the Order. Similarly, Albert II of Belgium , although acceding to the throne in 1993, is the only Belgian monarch to date not to have been admitted to the Order.

For a time, both Juliana, Queen of the Netherlands and her successor, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands were concurrently members of the Order as Stranger Ladies of the Garter. The first non-Christian ruler to be admitted to the Order was Abdülmecid I , Sultan of the Ottoman Empire , in 1856 as a Stranger Knight. The first, and to date only, member of the Order from South America was Emperor Pedro II of Brazil , created a Stranger Knight in 1871. He was a member of the House of Braganza , the ruling house of Portugal and Brazil. The first member of the Order admitted from Asia was Naser al-Din Shah Qajar , monarch of Persia, created a Stranger Knight in 1873. His immediate successor was also admitted to the Order in 1903, to be followed by the Meiji Emperor of Japan in 1906. Akihito is the only non-European monarch and likely the only non-Christian who is now a member of the Order. He is the fourth (consecutive) Emperor of Japan to be a Stranger Knight.

The first, and to date only, member of the Order from Africa was Haile Selassie , Emperor of Ethiopia, created a Stranger Knight in 1954. The first knight from Australasia or Oceania was Richard Gardiner Casey, Baron Casey , an Australian politician, diplomat and the 16th Governor-General of Australia, created a Knight Companion in 1969. Subsequently, two more Australians, Sir Paul Hasluck and Sir Ninian Stephen , were appointed. Three New Zealanders have been appointed: Charles Elworthy, Baron Elworthy , Sir Keith Holyoake , and Sir Edmund Hillary . There have been no appointments from North America. The Sovereign may "degrade" members who have committed very serious crimes, such as treason or fleeing the battlefield, or those who have taken up arms against the Sovereign. During the First World War, two Royal Knights and six Stranger Knights, all monarchs or princes of enemy nations and including Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany and Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, were struck off the roll of the Order or had their appointments annulled in 1915. [15] The banner of Emperor Hirohito of Japan was removed from St.

George's chapel when Japan entered World War II in 1941, but that banner and the Japanese monarch's knighthood were restored by Elizabeth II in 1971, at which time he made a state visit to the United Kingdom. The Emperor was particularly pleased by the restoration of his banner as a Knight of the Garter. [16] In contrast, Victor Emmanuel III of Italy remained a Stranger Knight after Italy entered World War II against the United Kingdom and her Allies, until his death in exile in 1947. From the late 15th century, there was a formal ceremony of degradation, in which Garter King of Arms, accompanied by the rest of the heralds, proceeded to St George's Chapel. While the Garter King of Arms read out aloud the Instrument of Degradation, a herald climbed up a ladder and removed the former knight's banner, crest, helm, and sword, throwing them down into the quire. Then the rest of the heralds kicked them down the length of the chapel, out of the doors, and into the castle ditch. The last such formal degradation was that of The Duke of Ormonde in 1716.

[17] Edit Officers of the Order of the Garter (left to right): Secretary (barely visible), Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Garter Principal King of Arms, Register, Prelate, Chancellor. The Order has six officers: the Prelate, the Chancellor, the Register, the Garter Principal King of Arms , the Usher, and the Secretary. [18] The offices of Prelate, Register, and Usher were created on the order's establishment; those of Garter Principal King of Arms and Chancellor, in the 15th century; and that of Secretary, in the 20th century. [19] The office of Prelate is held by the Bishop of Winchester , traditionally one of the senior bishops of the Church of England. [13] :105 The office of Chancellor is now held by one of the companions of the order. For most of its existence, the Bishop of Salisbury has held the office, although laymen held it from 1553 to 1671. In 1837, after boundary changes made Windsor Castle fall in the diocese of Oxford, the Chancellorship was transferred to the Bishop of Oxford .

A century later, the Bishop of Salisbury challenged this transfer, on the grounds that the Chancellorship had been attached to his office regardless of the diocese in which the chapel of the order lay; and that, in any event, St George's Chapel , as a Royal Peculiar , was not under diocesan jurisdiction. The office of Chancellor was removed from the Bishop of Oxford (the outgoing bishop, Thomas Banks Strong , had been outspoken in the abdication crisis of Edward VIII ), and so it was withheld from his successor, Kenneth Kirk , and has since been held by one of the Knights Companion. [13] :109–112 Since 1937, the following members have held the post of Chancellor: The Duke of Abercorn (since 2012) The office of Register has been held by the Dean of Windsor since 1558. [13] :116 The Garter Principal King of Arms is ex officio the senior officer of the College of Arms (the heraldic authority of England), and is usually appointed from among the other officers of arms at the College.

[13] :122 As the title suggests, Garter Principal King of Arms has specific duties as the Order's officer of arms, attending to the companions' crests and banners of arms, which are exhibited in the chapel. The Secretary, who acts as deputy to Garter in the ceremonial aspects of the Order, has since 1952 also been selected from the other officers of the College of Arms. [13] :143 The office of Usher is held by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod , who is also the Serjeant-at-Arms of the United Kingdom House of Lords [13] :132 (although his functions are more often performed there by his deputy, the Yeoman Usher). Military Knights of Windsor Main article: Military Knights of Windsor Military Knights of Windsor in the procession to the Garter Service. At the founding of the Order of the Garter, 26 "poor knights" were appointed and attached to the Order and its chapel. This number was not always maintained, and by the 17th century, there were only thirteen such knights.

King Charles II increased the number to 18 (in large part because of funds allocated from Sir Francis Crane's will) after his coronation in 1660. After the knights objected to being termed "poor", King William IV redesignated them in the 19th century as the Military Knights of Windsor . [20] The poor knights were impoverished military veterans, required to pray daily for the Knights Companion. In return, they received a salary and lodging in Windsor Castle. The knights are no longer necessarily poor, but are still military pensioners. They participate in the Order's processions, escorting the members, and in the chapel services. However, they are not considered knights or members of the Order. [20] The poor knights originally wore red mantles , each of which bore St George's Cross, but did not depict the Garter. Queen Elizabeth I replaced the mantles in the 16th and 17th centuries with blue and purple gowns, but the red mantles returned in the 17th century under King Charles I . When the knights were renamed, the mantles were abandoned.

The military knights now wear the old military uniform of an "army officer on the unattached list": black trousers with red stripe, a red double-breasted swallow-tailed coat , gold epaulets and brushes, a cocked hat with a plume , and a sword on a white sash. [21] Habit and insignia Mantle and hat of the Order Members The garter of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria For the Order's ceremonial occasions, such as the annual Garter Day, the members wear elaborate vestments and accoutrements (accessories), which include: The mantle is a vestment or robe worn by members since the 15th century. Once made of wool, by the 16th century it was made of velvet . The mantle was originally purple, but varied during the 17th and 18th centuries between celestial blue, pale blue, royal blue, dark blue, violet, and ultramarine . Mantles are now dark blue and lined with white taffeta . The mantles of the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and Royal Knights and Ladies end in trains. The heraldic shield of St.

George's Cross encircled by the Garter is sewn onto the left shoulder of the mantle, but the Sovereign's mantle instead has the star of the Order. Attached to the mantle over the right shoulder are a dark red velvet hood and surcoat , which have lost all function over time and appear to the modern observer simply as a splash of colour. [21] The hat is a Tudor bonnet of black velvet with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers. [21] The insignia of a knight of the Order of the Garter The collar is an accessory worn around the neck, over the mantle and secured with white ribbons tied in bows on the shoulders. Like the mantle, it was introduced in the 15th and 16th centuries. Made of pure gold, it weighs 30 troy ounces (0.933 kg). The collar is composed of gold knots alternating with enamelled medallions showing a rose encircled by the Garter. During King Henry VII 's reign, each garter surrounded two roses—one red and one white—but he changed the design such that each garter encircled the Tudor rose.

[21] The George (Great George), which is worn suspended from the collar, is a colourfully enamelled (sometimes jewelled) three-dimensional figure of St. George the Martyr on horseback slaying a dragon. [21] The Garter is worn on ceremonial occasions around the left calf [22] by knights and around the left arm by ladies, and is depicted on several insignia. The Garter is a buckled dark-blue (originally light-blue) velvet strap, and bears the motto in gold letters. The garters of Stranger Knights and Ladies were once set with several jewels. [21] Two styles have been used: one is a working garter where the end slips through the buckle and then is tucked in a specific way and the other style is a 'pre-made' one that has the buckled and tucked end pre-fashioned and is fastened with a clip attachment. Up until the middle part of the 20th century, it was customary to wear Tudor style under-dress, consisting of white silk embroidered doublet, breeches, full hose, white doeskin pumps with satin bows and a sword belt with sword, under the robes. Nowadays, morning dress or a lounge suit is worn.

[23] Other occasions The Garter "Star" above, and "George" below On other occasions when decorations are worn, the members wear simpler insignia: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge wearing Garter Riband and Star The collar is worn on designated collar days over military uniform or morning dress by members attending formal events. The collar is fastened to the shoulders with silk ribbons. Since the collar signifies the Order of the Garter, members can then wear the riband of any other order to which they belong. [21] The star, which is worn pinned to the left breast, was introduced in the 17th century by King Charles I and is a colourfully enamelled depiction of the heraldic shield of St. George's Cross, encircled by the Garter, which is itself encircled by an eight-point silver badge. Each point is depicted as a cluster of rays, with the four points of the cardinal directions longer than the intermediate ones. The stars of Stranger Knights and Ladies were once set with several jewels. Since the Order of the Garter is the senior order of the United Kingdom, a member will wear its star above the others (up to three) that he or she holds.

[21] The riband is a four inch (10.16 cm)-wide sash worn over the left shoulder, or pinned beneath it, to the right hip, and was introduced in the 17th century by King Charles I . The riband's colour has varied over the years: it was originally light blue, but was a dark shade under the Hanoverian monarchs. In 1950, the colour was fixed as "kingfisher blue". A member will wear only one riband, even if he or she belongs to several orders. [21] The badge is worn suspended from a small gold link from the riband at the right hip, and is sometimes known as " the Lesser George ". Like the Great George, the badge shows St. George the Martyr on horseback slaying a dragon, but it is flatter and gold. In the 15th century, the badge was worn attached to a ribbon around the neck. This was not convenient when riding a horse, so the custom of wearing it with a riband under the right arm developed.

[21] On the death of a member, the Lesser George and breast star are returned personally to the Sovereign by the former member's nearest male relative, and the other insignia to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood , save the riband, mantle and hat. [21] Officers Edit For ceremonial occasions of the Order, the officers wear the following garments and accessories: The mantles for the prelate and chancellor are dark blue like those of the members (as a member, the chancellor wears a member's mantle), but the mantles for the other officers are dark red. All mantles are embroidered with a heraldic shield of St George's Cross. For Garter ceremonies, Garter Principal King of Arms wears this red mantle rather than the tabard of the royal arms worn for other State ceremonial occasions. [21] Officers wear badges of office suspended from a chain worn around the neck. The badge for the prelate shows the Lesser George encircled by the Garter, which is surmounted by a bishop's mitre . The badge for the chancellor is a rose encircled by the Garter.

The badge for the register is two crossed quills over a book encircled by the Garter surmounted by a crown. The badge for Garter Principal King of Arms is the royal arms impaled with St George's Cross encircled by the Garter and surmounted by a crown. The badge for the usher is a knot (like those on the collars of the companions of the order) encircled by the Garter and surmounted by a crown. The badge for the secretary shows two crossed quills in front of a rose and encircled by the Garter surmounted by a crown. [21] The chancellor carries a purse, which is embroidered with the royal arms impaled by the Cross of St. George. The purse contains the seal of the Order. Garter Principal King of Arms carries his baton of office. The usher carries his staff of office, the Black Rod .

[21] Stall plates Garter stall plate of Henry Bourchier, 2nd Earl of Essex , 3rd Count of Eu (1468-1540), KG, nominated as a Knight of the Garter in 1499 Garter stall plates are small enamelled and engraved brass stall plates located in St George's Chapel as memorials to Knights of the Garter. They are inscribed with the knight's name, and generally with his titles, offices, and motto. In most cases his heraldic achievement is depicted. Precedence and privileges The arms of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough , are encircled by both the Garter and the collar. Coat of Arms of Henry III of France as King of France and lifelong King of Poland with chain of Order of the Garter Members are assigned positions in the order of precedence , coming before all others of knightly rank, and above baronets. The wives, sons, daughters and daughters-in-law of Knights Companion are also assigned precedence. Relatives of Ladies Companion are not, however, assigned any special positions.

(Generally, individuals can derive precedence from their fathers or husbands, but not from their mothers or wives.) The Chancellor is also assigned precedence, but except for the period between 1553 and 1671 when the office was held by a layman who was not necessarily a member of the Order, this precedence has been purely theoretical. As a member of the Order, the Chancellor has a higher precedence than that attached to the office, and when the office was filled by a diocesan bishop of the Church of England, the holder again had a higher precedence by virtue of that office than any that the chancellorship could bestow. [24] Knights Companion prefix "Sir" [25] and Ladies Companion prefix "Lady" to their forenames. [26] Wives of Knights Companion may prefix "Lady" to their surnames, but no corresponding privilege exists for husbands of Ladies Companion. [27] Such forms are not used by royals, peers, peeresses, or Anglican clergymen, who instead use only the post-nominal letters. [25] Knights and Ladies Companion use the post-nominal letters "KG" and "LG" respectively.

[14] When an individual is entitled to use multiple post-nominal letters, those of the Order of the Garter appear before all others, except "Bt" or "Btss" (Baronet or Baronetess), "VC" ( Victoria Cross ) and "GC" ( George Cross ). [28] The members may encircle their arms with the Garter, and, if they wish, with a depiction of the collar as well. [29] However, the Garter is normally used alone; the more elaborate version is seldom seen. Stranger Knights and Ladies do not embellish the arms they use in their countries with English decorations. Knights and Ladies Companion are also entitled to receive heraldic supporters , a privilege granted to few other private individuals. While some families claim supporters by ancient use, and others have been granted them as a special reward, only members of the Royal Family, peers, Knights and Ladies Companion of the Garter, Knights and Ladies of the Thistle, and Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the junior orders of chivalry are automatically entitled to them.

[29] Investure ceremony of new Knights of the Garter Main article: St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle The Order of the Garter once held services at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle , but they became rare in the 18th century. The annual Garter Services, discontinued in 1805, were revived by King George VI in 1948 and have become an annual event. Each June, on the Monday of Royal Ascot week (also known as Garter Day), the members of the Order, wearing their habits and garter insignia, meet in the state apartments in the Upper Ward of Windsor Castle. When any new Knights of the Garter are due for installation, an investiture ceremony is held at a Chapter of the Order in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle on the morning of Garter Day. [30] This ceremony is attended by all Knights Companions of the order, wearing the ceremonial habits and garter insignia, and also by their wives.

The wording of the oath sworn by the new knights at this ceremony and of the Admonitions addressed to them in turn by the prelate and chancellor of the order when the several items of insignia are placed upon them are extremely similar to the traditions of the past. [31] [32] At the investiture ceremony the Admonitions are read in turn by the prelate and chancellor of the order and several insignia are offered on a cushion to the Sovereign by Garter King of Arms, Black Rod, and the secretary of the order, in turn, so that the Sovereign may perform the ceremony of investiture. Two senior knights of the order assist the Sovereign in these ceremonies by placing the garter around the left leg of the new knight and by assisting the Sovereign in the fastening of the riband and Lesser George about the body of the new knight, and in the adjustment of the mantle and the collar. [33] After the investiture ceremony at Windsor is concluded, a state luncheon is held in the Banqueting Room. This is attended by the royal family, by all the Companions of the Order and their ladies, and by the Officers of the Order.

After the banquet all the knights and ladies of the order, together with the prelate, chancellor and other officers of the order, in their mantles and ceremonial robes, led by the Military Knights of Windsor, move in procession, watched by a great crowd of spectators, through the castle, down the hill, which is lined with troops, to Saint George’s Chapel for a worship service, before which the formal installation of the new knights takes place. [34] After the service, the members return to the Upper Ward by carriage or car. Armorial of the Order of the Garter The Order of the Garter | Saratoga Shakespeare Company Posted | 0 comments The Order of the Garter The Order of the Garter is the most senior and the oldest British Order of Chivalry and was founded by Edward III in 1348. The Order, consisting of the King and twenty-five knights, was intended by Edward III to be reserved as the highest reward for loyalty and for military merit.

Like the Prince of Wales (the Black Prince), the other founder-knights had all served in the French campaigns of the time, including the battle of Crécy – three were foreigners who had previously sworn allegiance to the English king: four of the knights were under the age of 20 and few were much over the age of 30. The origin of the emblem of the Order, a blue garter, is obscure. It is said to have been inspired by an incident which took place whilst the King danced with Joan, Countess of Salisbury. The Countess’s garter fell to the floor and after the King retrieved it he tied it to his own leg. Those watching this were apparently amused, but the King admonished them saying, ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ (Shame on him who thinks this evil). This then became the motto of the Order. Modern scholars think it is more likely that the Order was inspired by the strap used to attach pieces of armour, and that the motto could well have referred to critics of Edward’s claim to the throne of France.

The patron saint of the Order is St George (patron saint of soldiers and also of England) and the spiritual home of the Order is St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Every knight is required to display a banner of his arms in the Chapel, together with a helmet, crest and sword and an enamelled stallplate. These ‘achievements’ are taken down on the knight’s death (and the insignia are returned to the Sovereign), but the stallplates remain as a memorial and these now constitute one of the finest collections of heraldry in the world. The insignia of the Order have developed over the centuries: starting with a garter and badge depicting St George and the Dragon. A collar was added in the sixteenth century, and the star and broad riband in the seventeenth century. Although the collar could not be decorated with precious stones (the statutes forbid it), the other insignia could be decorated according to taste and affordability. George IV, well-known for his vanity, left 55 different Garter badges of varying styles.

Over the years, a number of knights have been ‘degraded’ (for the crimes of heresy, treason or cowardice), the most recent example being the Duke of Ormond in 1715, or even executed – such as Lord Scrope of Masham (a childhood friend of Henry V), and the 3rd Duke of Buckingham in 1521. Charles I wore his Order (ornamented with over 400 diamonds) to his execution in 1649. From the eighteenth century to 1946, appointments to the Order (and to the Order of the Thistle) were made on advice from government. Today, the Order has returned to its original function as a mark of royal favour; Knights of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally. The number of knights is limited to 24 plus royal knights. For much of its history, the Garter was limited to the aristocracy, but today the knights are from varied backgrounds.

If there are vacancies in the Order, appointments are announced on St George’s Day (23 April). Every June, the Knights of the Garter gather at Windsor Castle, where new knights take the oath and are invested with the insignia. A lunch is given in the Waterloo Chamber, after which the knights process to a service in St George’s Chapel, wearing their blue velvet robes (with the badge of the Order – St George’s Cross within the Garter surrounded by radiating silver beams – on the left shoulder) and black velvet hats with white plumes. The Queen (whose father George VI appointed her and her husband to the Order in 1947), as Sovereign of the Order, attends the service along with other members of the Royal family in the Order, including The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Princess Royal. During the Middle Ages ladies were associated with the Order, although unlike today they did not enjoy full membership. One of the last medieval ladies to be honoured was Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII and grandmother of Henry VIII.

After her death in 1509 the Order remained exclusively male, except for reigning queens as Sovereign of the Order, until 1901 when Edward VII made Queen Alexandra a lady of the Order. In 1987, The Queen decided that women should be eligible for the Garter in the same way as men. Women are therefore included in this number and currently Lady Thatcher (formerly Margaret Thatcher, first female prime minister of Great Britain) and Lady Soames (the youngest daughter of Sir Winston Churchill, also a holder of the Order of the Garter) hold this honour. Since the early fourteenth century, foreign monarchs have been appointed to the Order, as a means of marking and securing alliances – one of the earliest such appointments was that of the Duke of Urbino by Edward IV in 1474. Such appointments were and are occasionally made to non-Christian rulers (for example, the Shah of Persia in 1902), which prompted some debate over removing Christian imagery (the cross of St George) from the Order when it is given to non-Christian recipients; in the end, the design remained unchanged. Foreign monarchs in the Order are known as ‘Stranger Knights’.

These knights are in addition to the number allowed by statute, and they include the kings of Spain and Sweden and the emperor of Japan. DONATE Today! 1000+ images about Order of the Garter: British Orders of Chivalry on Pinterest | Edward viii, Order of the garter and King george Pinterest • The world’s catalog of ideas Order of the Garter: British Orders of Chivalry The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, by Edward III. The Order's motto is: Honi soit qui mal y pense (shame upon him who thinks evil upon it). The Order consists of the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, 24 Knights Companions and supernumerary knights and ladies ( members of the British Royal Family and foreign monarchs). 662 Pins421 Followers

Question: Which English king founded the Order of the Garter in 1348?
Answer: Edward III